Chukchansi Leaders: North Fork casino will hurt tribe's casino



Leaders of Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians say their business will be hurt if the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians opens an off-reservation casino:
The Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians Tribe has long stood opposed to the illegal, off-reservation North Fork casino, proposed for 99 more than 35 miles from the Mono Tribe's land. This off-reservation casino absolutely flies in the face of the will of California's voters and their "yes" vote on Proposition 1A in 2000.

Just as importantly from our perspective, the illegal North Fork casino will decimate our 10-year, $350 million investment in the Chukchansi Gold Casino – Madera County's largest employer, supporting more than 1,100 jobs and annually pumping millions of dollars into the county economy.

We'll make the obvious point: What about the economic development opportunities our tribe will lose if this casino is built? And what about the land use plan and gaming compacts that have been in effect for many years — plans our tribe relied upon when planning and building the Chukchansi Gold casino?

Our tribe has long been a loyal partner to Madera County, its supervisors and Supervisor Wheeler. Time and again, we've delivered tens of thousands of dollars in grants to benefit North Fork-area, County residents and more than $1 million per year for a decade to Madera County.

Get the Story:
Leaders of Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians: Partnership ignored (The Sierra Star 10/10)

Bureau of Indian Affairs Documents:
Press Release | Fact Sheet: North Fork Rancheria Decision | Section 20 Determination: North Fork Rancheria

Federal Register Notice:
Land Acquisitions; North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California (December 3, 2012)

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